Part 2

My heart did not sing all the time. I had questionings, and even murmurings. I looked around the cabin; there was no comfort or possibility of comfort to be seen. Abject, helpless poverty was the sum total of all her surroundings. She was dependent on what could be spared from the scant wages of her son, a Southern day laborer with a large young family. Living thus on the perilous edge of want, and her heart singing all the time with thankfulness! To think of it!

“What do you feel thankful for?” I asked. The words leapt out before I was aware.

“Thankful, chile! I’se thankful for all my marcies, for all de goodness from my bressed Master that come to me. I allers wanted to be free ’fore I died; now I’se free. Thank God an’ Massa Linkum, I’se free! My heart was sore for my chilluns, sole away from me befo’ the wa’, an my bressed Master find one for me, brung him here after the wa’; my oldest son, he is. I fin’ my two gals, or they fin’ me; they’se married down yer’, an’ they’se all good to me. It’s allers jest so since I got ’ligion. God has answer’ every pra’r, an’ best of all, He stays by me in the dark an’ in the light. Oh, honey, my heart does well to be thankful an’ keep singin’ all de time.”

The surroundings seemed to change, glorified by the secret of the Lord. My heart went out to this old negress with her scarred form, for was she not a dweller under the shadow of the Almighty? I thankfully acknowledged my relationship to her, for was she not a daughter of the King, and higher up than I?

MRS. A. M’DOUGALL.

* * * * *

THE SOUTH.

* * * * *

NOTES IN THE SADDLE.

BY FIELD-SUPERINTENDENT C. J. RYDER.

Le Moyne Institute, at Memphis, Tenn., like almost all of the A. M. A. schools this year, is full to overflowing. A large number of pupils have been turned away for the want of accommodations.

The Industrial department of Le Moyne Institute is receiving constant additions. A printing outfit has recently been procured, and the students are busy over “fonts” and “pi,” though no printer’s devil has as yet appeared. The scholars have done some good job work already and are thus turning their industrial training into immediate practical benefit. The other departments of the Institute are keeping step with its industrial development. Le Moyne is broadening its influence constantly and sending its roots deeper and deeper into the intellectual and religious soil of Memphis. It is recognized as one of the most beneficial institutions in the city by the citizens of all shades of political opinion.

The Congregational Church stands immediately opposite the Institute, and students are especially welcomed into its services and membership. If New England Pilgrimism of early days is reproduced anywhere it certainly is in the work of the A. M. A. The Church and the School are the joint and inseparable agencies for the building of character.

* * * * *

A trip down the Mississippi Valley is a revelation to one who has never passed over this route. This valley is the garden region of the old South, that is, those States east of the Mississippi. It is asserted, and truthfully, I think, that two and one-half bales of cotton are sometimes raised for every man, woman and child of the population of this valley. The land is a deep alluvial loam and produces crops of great variety. Cotton, corn, potatoes (sweet and Irish), wheat, oats, and sugar cane are some among the many products that grow luxuriously here. This region has been avoided by settlers in the past, because of its unhealthfulness. In the old slave days, planters lived in the highlands, back from the river, and worked their plantations by slave labor. The death of a slave was only unfortunate because of just so much lost live stock. God equalizes things in a strange way. Now, these very people who occupied these lands and tilled them for others are acclimated and can live here and gather the enormous wealth of this wonderful valley. The railroad company has offered unusual inducements to settlers of small capital to take lands here. Five thousand colored people have poured into this great garden spot during the past eighteen months and others are constantly coming. What an opportunity for A. M. A. work! Pleading invitations come to me from many places along the line of this valley, begging me to come and see their needs. Churches and schools and missions are demanded all through this region _immediately_. Tougaloo University was never so well fitted as to-day to meet the needs of these people. Its two new Ballard buildings greatly increase its accommodations and facilities. But other schools, less advanced and comprehensive, are needed, which shall meet the immediate wants of these new communities, and also be feeders to Tougaloo.

* * * * *

At one place a considerable colony has settled under the leadership of a former student of Fisk University. He is, of course, a Congregationalist, and desires the best educational advantages for this new and growing colony. What could not be accomplished here during the next few years if only the treasury warranted the outlay? At Greenville, in the heart of this fertile valley, a small Congregational Church, planted and nurtured by the A. M. A., is holding up the standard of intelligent preaching and decent forms of public worship. The Church has no meeting-house, but holds its services in a school building, the property of a colored citizen, who is the editor of the Greenville _Herald_, a sprightly local paper.

* * * * *

The Mississippi River is making fearful havoc along its banks. At Greenville, fifty feet of ground fell away in a single day. Brick buildings are being torn down and frame buildings hurried back on rollers to save them from the mad waters of the mighty river. Where the streets of the village were, a few months ago, now the river runs more than a hundred feet deep. This is a boom in real estate not thoroughly enjoyed by the citizens. It is attributed to the failure of the River and Harbor bills, and the citizens are very indignant. I am happy to state that our pastor’s home and the proposed site of the new Congregational Church are far back from the river, and no one need withhold his increased contribution to A. M. A., on account of this needy field, for fear the real estate will wash away.

* * * * *

At Vicksburg I found quite a number of A. M. A. graduates. One hangs out the shingle of an attorney and is doing “tolerably well, thank you.” Two are teachers; one of these, a graduate of Straight University, N. O., has done splendid service for his people and won honor for himself. He is Superintendent of the city colored schools, having ten teachers under his direction. He has saved his money and now owns two comfortable cottages and is out of debt; not a bad showing for a young man only a few years out of college.

* * * * *

Louisiana is reaping the harvest of her former seed sowing. Arozelles Parish is agitated over the outrages recently perpetrated against the Hebrews. Witkowsky, it will be remembered, was driven from his home in this parish last fall. Now these outrages are being repeated against others of that same race. I quote from a local paper: “The anti-semitics rode up to the Kahn store and riddled it and the surrounding fence with bullets. Next day Kahn and Bauer were served with notices calling attention to what the mob had done, and warning them to leave the parish at once if they wished to save their lives.”

The Governor of Louisiana is exhorted to stop these outrages. Why? It is only a continuance of the policy of violence and murder that has so often brought disgrace upon this and other Southern States. It matters little whether the victims of these brutal outrages are Negroes or Hebrews. Anyone who chances to be obnoxious to the Lords of the Land may meet the same cruel treatment. But better and brighter days are slowly coming, when all classes can demand and shall receive the impartial protection of the laws. Perhaps this new violence to the Hebrews may arouse the public conscience.

* * * * *

REVIVALS.

STRAIGHT UNIVERSITY.

Those acquainted with the history of this institution affirm that it has never before been visited by just such a work of grace as is now gladdening many hearts.

The year, unlike some that have preceded it, has been free from serious and protracted interruptions. Neither Expositions nor epidemics have made great breaches in the classes or diverted attention from matters of first importance. Though our classes have been unusually crowded, the amount of faithful scholarly work accomplished has been greatly above that of ordinary years. There has been a quiet, intense determination on the part of pupils to master the subjects in hand, that has greatly encouraged their teachers. Many pupils have expressed a praiseworthy dissatisfaction with their work and a longing to do it better, and have seemed glad to devote recreation and holiday hours to gain a better mastery of difficult subjects.

Accompanying this zeal for the acquisition of knowledge there has been, from the week of prayer, a deep and growing tenderness on the subject of religion.

While there have been no special revival services, the regular weekly religious meetings of the University, both voluntary and those in the regular order, have been attended and sustained with the most earnest enthusiasm and by about the same numbers.

Some four weeks ago a request was made after the Sunday evening preaching service, that those who had lately become Christians would remain. Several who had given good evidence of a change of heart were absent from the service, but fourteen remained and bore glad witness to personal experience of the Lord’s saving power. Since then the work has gone on steadily, and about _one soul a day_ has come into the light. The Spirit is revealing His presence in all grades of the University, and boarders and day pupils are witnessing to His saving power. The work is very quiet, deep and wonderful. There are over forty-five who give evidence of having been “born from above.”

The following incident illustrates the peculiar graciousness of the work as it was modestly related by one of the teachers last evening in Faculty meeting: “Yesterday noon, as my scholars were passing out of the room, a boy stepped out of the line and stood waiting to speak with me. When all had left the room, I said: ‘Well, B., what can I do for you?’ With a voice broken with emotion, he exclaimed: ‘Oh, Miss P., I want to be a Christian; I have wanted to be one for a good while, and I want you to pray for me.’ I was surprised, as he had given me considerable trouble for weeks, and I had not thought him seriously inclined till that morning.

“‘I certainly will pray for you,’ I replied; ‘would you like to have me do so _now_?’

“‘Yes, ma’am,’ was his earnest response.

“Turning the key in the lock, to avoid interruptions, I knelt with him and asked the Lord to help him give up everything. He tried to pray, but could only say, ‘Oh, Lord! Oh, Lord!!’ and broke into sobs. I then opened the Bible and read, ‘Come unto Me,’ ‘I am the Way,’ and other passages. He having regained his self-possession as I opened to him the Scripture, I said: ‘Now, is there anything you have not given up—anything you are not willing to give up for Christ?’ ‘No,’ he answered, firmly, ‘I do not care for _anything_; I want to be a Christian.’ I was obliged to leave him here, and did not have a chance to speak with him again that day. This morning he was a little late, but something in his face as he said ‘good morning,’ told me that the struggle was ended. This noon he again left the line, and without waiting for his mates to pass out, held out his hand, joyfully exclaiming: ‘Miss P., I want to tell you that I have found Jesus; I found him last night, and I am happier than I have ever been since I was born; I mean to serve Him as long as I live.’ I never heard a more earnest and hearty confession of Christ.”

The frequent occurrence of incidents like this fill all our hearts with deep awe and invest every act and word with a tender solemnity. We feel the majestic presence in our midst of One seeking and saving that which was lost.

Pray for us, brethren, that the will of God may be fully wrought among us, and these youths, so eager for that education which is so necessary for the future well-being of the South, be enriched above all other getting with “the gift of eternal life.”

M. L. BERGER.

FISK UNIVERSITY.

The time has come in the religious history of the year in Fisk University when an account of the work done may be given. I have no doubt that it will interest and encourage the friends of the Association.

During the week of prayer for the Y. M. C. A. among colleges, the young men of the institution who belong to the Y. M. C. A. of Fisk held meetings and did good work among the young men who do not profess to be Christians. As a result, three or four were hopefully converted.

The week of prayer was observed in the institution, meetings being held immediately after supper. From the beginning to the end the attendance was large and the interest great. The meetings continued four weeks, and have just closed. Twenty-five of the students have been converted, including the three or four who were converted during the week of prayer held by the young men. The interest culminated at the meetings during the day of prayer for colleges.

The afternoon meeting of that day was one of the most remarkable ever held in the University. At the beginning of the meeting, President Cravath gave the following statistics of the higher grades: Students in college, 42, professing Christians, 37; Normal students, 40, professing Christians, 36; College preparatory students, 46, professing Christians, 34. Total number in higher grades, 126; total number of professing Christians, 121, or about 86 per cent.

The key-note to the meeting was given by George McLellan, a former graduate, who had studied theology at Hartford for a year. He said that in a meeting at Hartford he found that Fisk had a larger percentage of Christian students than any other college represented in the meeting, but that the students of Fisk were not entering the ministry in such large numbers as the students from other colleges were.

The key-note once struck, a most interesting discussion arose as to why the students of Fisk were not entering the ministry. Different causes were assigned, which may be reduced to one or two. There is not sufficient inducement offered to the young men to become ministers; the claims of the ministry are not presented with sufficient stress; the churches are so few and so small that the prospect is very discouraging; if a young man offers himself for the ministry, he must go North to study theology, where he is in danger of being educated out of sympathy with his people. The Southern schools have no well-equipped seminaries in which young men may be educated.

The meeting closed with this question still uppermost, and at night it was taken up by common consent and another hour spent in considering it. It was felt by all that the time had come for the establishment of a well endowed theological seminary for the schools in the South.

H. S. BENNETT.

SAVANNAH.

The revival in Savannah and vicinity began with the church in Woodville in November, spread to McIntosh, thence to Savannah. Results: somewhat more than two hundred appear desirous for the Christian life, and great renewal to activity among the members in these churches. The presentation of the sole essential—a crucified Saviour; Scriptures linked in argument like shields in the Phalanx, and pressed day after day by Evangelist James Wharton, of Barrow-in-Furnes, England, are not to be lightly esteemed if no conversion had resulted. The man who holds that the congregations gathered in A. M. A. churches cannot be moved by the _Book, was not_ present during these services. March 6, at our feast of in-gathering, the Savannah Church gave the right hand to twenty-nine new members, in part the fruit of this revival.

Tender and thankful were the tears of joy shed by the faithful teachers as those converted in answer to their prayers stood forth to confess the Saviour. The harvest from seed long sown was there in the converted mother, at whose recall a Magdalen home is purified, and a son and daughter stand on either hand, making the gracious picture complete. Let Shelburne, Mass., hear this testimony, “I have never been at rest till now since I was in one of Miss Hardy’s mother-meetings long ago.”

DANA SHERRILL.

STORRS SCHOOL.

The last has been a month of much labor and of much rejoicing as well, for the Lord has blessed us—in school and church—we feel. Nearly one hundred conversions in our school and in our Sabbath school, and a great quickening among those who had grown indifferent. I never felt so close to the Master, more that His spirit was so in our midst; and yet there was no excitement—just a ready willing surrender of the heart and life to Jesus. Some of the converts are “little ones,” and some are youths and some are in mid-life. In my own class of young men, ten have found the Saviour and eight of them are to unite with our Church next Sunday. I think there are forty who are proposing a public uniting with us at that time. It is a time of great anxiety for us. The young feet will wander if not guided by earnest Christian admonitions. I need not say we are tired and trying to rest a little before our spring term opens next Monday.

H. J. M.

* * * * *

COMPLIMENTARY CONCERT TO GOVERNOR AND LEGISLATURE OF TENNESSEE BY FISK UNIVERSITY.

The Mozart Society, under the direction of Prof. Spence, has just given its concert complimentary to His Excellency the Governor, and the Legislature of Tennessee. The Governor was unable to attend on account of sickness in his family, but sent a letter to Prof. Spence expressing his regret. This is the third time that a complimentary concert has been given to the Legislature, at its different sessions, but this one was probably the most successful in every sense.

The whole chapel was reserved for our guests; no tickets being sold, and the students not attending, that there might be room for the entire body. A few leading citizens, both white and colored, were invited, and the Faculty and teachers of the University were also present. The night was warm and pleasant, and students appointed for the purpose met our distinguished guests at the street car, a quarter of a mile distant, escorting them up through the unlighted street.

The Hall, however, was brilliantly lighted, and when the concert began was well filled, still others coming in later in the evening.

The Mozart Society, consisting of fifty members, with piano, organ, violins, flute and cornet, occupied the raised platform in front.

The Society includes all grades of students, but more especially are they from the advanced classes, as the very difficult music which they render requires all the mental power of which they are capable. Prof. Spence is the soul and life of the Society, and gives himself to it with an energy and enthusiasm that is an inspiration to all the members. They have studied music from the great composers for several years, and during the present school year have devoted themselves especially to the Oratorio of Elijah.

The first half of the concert consisted of selections from this Oratorio.

All who are acquainted with the music know that it is simply sublime and that it must be a most unappreciative soul that can listen to it without being deeply moved.

The opening chorus, “Help, Lord! Wilt Thou quite destroy us?” was so full of pathos and of pleading that it seemed to subdue and quiet the whole audience. Indeed, the _silence_ that prevailed throughout the entire rendering testified to the interest felt. When they sang, “Lord! bow thine ear to our prayer!” the breathless stillness in the house made us feel that much of real prayer was there, and we wondered if hearts that had never before felt God’s presence might not be touched by His spirit. Then came the wild cry of the priests of Baal, loud and long and despairing, with the mocking of Elijah, who says, “Call him louder, for he is a God.” A few times the audience broke into applause, but generally expressed themselves by quiet attention.

Probably the style of music was new to many of them, and it was interesting to watch the faces of different ones as they listened. Some were at first perhaps disappointed, evidently not expecting that kind of music, but a growing and deepening interest marked their faces as they sat watching as well as listening.

When Elijah pleaded for rain, and the people cried, “Help, send thy servant help, O God!” “Hear from heaven, and forgive their sin,” the listening attitude of the audience seemed to express sympathy with the sad refrain, and when, at last, the grand chorus, “Thanks be to God,” burst forth, it was almost overwhelming. What a lifting up of voices it was! it with a piercing sweetness that rent the air and bowed all hearts before it.

The second part of the concert consisted of Jubilee songs, college songs, and patriotic songs, more popular music, but to some of us it was a letting down from the heights to which we had been lifted. It was received, however, with demonstrations of delight, which could not have been expressed for the first part, if it had been felt. Almost everything was encored. The college songs were full of rollicking fun, and the Jubilee music brought rounds of applause again and again.

When “Good news, the chariot’s coming,” and “Silver Slippers” were sung, the dignified legislators got to beating time with their feet in real camp-meeting style.

“Way down upon the Suwanee River” was sung with a softness and sweetness that reminded one of Jenny Jackson in the old Jubilee days. It was listened to with breathless attention and followed by prolonged applause.

The concert closed with “America,” beautiful and grand, as it always is. The whole audience rose to their feet and joined with a heartiness which showed that the “old time” has indeed “gone,” and “new times” for the South, white and black, are already here.

H. M.

* * * * *

THE INDIANS.

* * * * *

THE FAILURE OF THE SIOUX BILL.

This bill, known also as the Dawes Bill, for the opening of parts of the great Sioux reservation and settling the tribal boundaries of each division of the Sioux nation now occupying it, failed to become a law by the fatal objection of one man, Representative Holman.

The bill was warmly advocated by the best friends of the Indians as being the best possible compromise with the tide of civilization pressing in on these people from every side. The Black Hills were seized by the whites first, and bought afterwards. It was hoped to prevent the recurrence of such robberies. It was also felt that these Indians needed to be forcibly reminded that their condition has changed, and that they must speedily adapt themselves to the ways of civilization or go under. The majority of them accept this idea in theory, but are very slow to adjust themselves to it practically. The thing they are slowest about is to select for themselves good lands for homesteads. They are loth to separate from each other, and few of them have any idea of what good land is.